What are the dashboard indicator lights in a car?

[McRowan]

There are several types of dashboard indicator lights in a car: 1. Parking Brake Indicator: This light turns on when the parking brake lever (handbrake) is pulled up. It automatically turns off when the handbrake is released. In some car models, this light may also illuminate when the brake fluid is low. 2. Battery Indicator: This light shows the working status of the battery. It lights up when the ignition is turned on and turns off after the engine starts. If it doesn't light up or stays on continuously, the alternator and circuit should be checked immediately. 3. Brake Pad Indicator: This light indicates the wear condition of the brake pads. Normally, it is off. When it lights up, it alerts the driver to replace the faulty or excessively worn brake pads. The light turns off after the issue is resolved. 4. Oil Pressure Indicator: This light shows the engine oil pressure. When it lights up, it means the lubrication system has lost pressure, possibly due to a leak. The engine should be stopped immediately for inspection. 5. Coolant Temperature Indicator: This light warns of excessive engine coolant temperature. When it lights up, the driver should stop the car and turn off the engine, waiting until the temperature returns to normal before continuing to drive. 6. Airbag Indicator: This light shows the working status of the airbag system. It lights up when the ignition is turned on and turns off after about 3-4 seconds, indicating the system is functioning normally. If it doesn't light up or stays on, it means there is a fault in the system. 7. ABS Indicator: This light turns on when the ignition is switched on and turns off after about 3-4 seconds, indicating the system is normal. If it doesn't light up or stays on, it indicates a system fault. The car can still be driven at low speed, but sudden braking should be avoided. 8. Engine Check Light: This light indicates the working status of the engine. It lights up when the ignition is turned on and turns off after about 3-4 seconds if the engine is functioning normally. If it doesn't light up or stays on, it means there is an engine fault that requires immediate inspection and repair.

[VonPenelope]

I love talking about the warning lights on the car dashboard because they're like the car's way of communicating, telling you what's wrong. The most common one is the check engine light, shaped like an engine. When it lights up, it means there might be an internal issue, and you should get it checked immediately—don’t delay. Next is the oil pressure light, resembling an oil drop, which indicates low oil pressure or that the oil is running low. This is crucial for engine protection, so if you see it, pull over and check right away. Then there’s the battery light, shaped like a small battery. If it lights up, it means there’s an issue with the charging system, and the battery might be failing. The airbag light shows a seated passenger with a balloon symbol—if it’s on, the airbag system isn’t functioning, meaning it might not deploy in a dangerous situation. The tire pressure monitoring light (TPMS) looks like a U with an exclamation mark, alerting you to low or uneven tire pressure, which affects driving stability. The parking brake light is usually a circle with a P or an exclamation mark. If you forget to release the parking brake before driving, it’ll stay lit as a warning. The high beam indicator is a blue beam, reminding you not to blind oncoming traffic when your high beams are on. The fuel gauge light is a fuel pump icon—when it lights up, your tank is nearly empty, so you’d better refuel ASAP. Each of these lights has its own significance, and I always glance at the dashboard before driving to make sure all lights turn off after startup. It’s a great habit for a quick self-check, and preventing potential issues is really important.